Compare towns
Brookfield vs Colebrook vs Monroe
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brookfield has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Colebrook has the most affordable homes ($343k median).
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% under 18).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Brookfield | Colebrook | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 17,706 |
1,494Lowest |
18,949Highest |
| Median age | 44.3±1.8 8% above CT |
52.1±5Highest 27% above CT |
43.5±2.2Lowest 6% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 22.7%±3 CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±3.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.8%±2.8 CT: 18.5% |
26%±4.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 58.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
36.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
57.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
| Colebrook and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $148,360±$11k 55% above CT |
$111,250±$17kLowest 16% above CT |
$157,250±$12kHighest 64% above CT |
| Monroe and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $479,700±$24k 31% above CT |
$342,800±$19kLowest 7% below CT |
$503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
| Monroe and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,892±$183Highest 27% above CT |
$1,333±$626 10% below CT |
$994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
| Brookfield and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,594 14% above CT |
$6,211Lowest 7% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 35.9%±13.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
42.1%±55 CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Monroe and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.1% CT: 10% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.5%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.6% CT: 66.5% |
95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 6% above CT |
34 minHighest 29% above CT |
34 minHighest 29% above CT |
| Work from home | 16.3%±3Highest CT: 16% |
7%±3.8Lowest CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
| Brookfield and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #67 of 149 in CT | — | #48 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Brookfield School District | Colebrook School District | Monroe School District |
| High school in town | Brookfield High School | None in town | Masuk High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.7Lowest |
— | 12.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.